Obstetrics (Maternity)

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Important: Weekend Street Closure Near JMH

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 3, both westbound lanes and the interior eastbound lane of N.W. 14th Street (west of 12th Avenue along the side of University of Miami Hospital) will be closed to vehicular traffic due to construction. Patients, visitors and employees who need to head west and normally use NW 14th Street to get to the 17th Avenue entrance to the 836 are encouraged to use NW 20th Street rather than NW 12th Street. Traffic flow is expected to return to normal by 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 5.

Overview

No matter where you are, no matter what kind of pregnancy you have, Jackson Health System is here when it’s time for your miracle. We offer full-service maternity programs throughout Miami-Dade County at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center and Jackson South Community Hospital. In addition, we have world-class facilities and physicians, including Florida’s largest neonatal ICU at Holtz Children’s Hospital.

We’re close by and ready for your miracle, and we’re ready to accommodate your special birthing preferences. Jackson Health System fully supports vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) deliveries and we even have Certified Nurse-Midwife programs at Jackson Memorial and Jackson South to give expectant parents more options for delivery.

If you are interested in previewing our facilities and services, please schedule a tour or class at the location nearest to you.

Services Provided At These Hospitals & Locations

Jackson Memorial Hospital

The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial Hospital is honored to be a part of this exciting and precious time in a family's life. That's why we offer personalized care to make the child-birthing experience as fulfilling as possible. Our expert maternity team is here to help women as they prepare for a child's birth, throughout the labor and delivery, and well into the child's first days of life.

Introducing The M.B. Fernandez Family Little Miracle Maternity SuitesWe have improved the birthing experience by undergoing a full renovation of our maternity unit, which embraces a spa-like atmosphere and 20 spacious, private suites. The Little Miracles experience features special hospitality treats to make every patient’s stay memorable, along with complete access to our relaxation lounge and coffee and tea bar. Patients have the opportunity to upgrade to our VIP package which includes an oversized suite, L’Occitane toiletries, and gourmet menu selections, amongst other welcome “surprises.”

Specialized Services

Labor and Delivery

At Jackson Women's Hospital, our maternity team of doctors, nurse-midwives, nurses and other specialists strive to make your labor, delivery and recovery stay as comfortable as possible. Jackson Women's Hospital includes a triage and emergency unit for pregnant women, operating rooms adjacent to our labor and delivery suites and a mother and baby unit with private and semi-private rooms.

We believe in a family-centered approach to care and encourage mothers to keep their infants in their room with them. We also offer accommodations for one guest to stay overnight with you and your child.

After you have given birth, our nurses will teach you how to properly care for your infant and lactation consultants are available for one-on-one sessions with breastfeeding moms. Most mothers who deliver vaginally stay in the hospital for two days while mothers who have cesarean deliveries are discharged after about three days.

Mother and Baby Unit

AccomodationsThe Mother and Baby Unit in the Women's Hospital has 20 private and 20 semi-private rooms. All of our rooms have televisions and our private rooms include accommodations for one guest to stay with you and your baby overnight.

SecurityOur Mother and Baby Unit is equipped with extra safety features to ensure the safety of you and your baby. There is a security guard outside of the main entrance to the unit and only guests with passes are allowed to enter. Another safety feature is the security devices used to ensure a baby remains on the unit with his or her mother unless it is medically necessary to move the baby to another floor.

After a baby is born, a locator device is placed on each baby's ankle. If a baby wearing this security device is taken outside the unit without security and the nurses knowledge, a series of alarms will sound and all doors allowing entrance on to the unit are closed and locked.

VisitorsWe allow visitors on the Mother and Baby Unit between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. All patients are allowed to have one guest stay with them and their baby overnight.

Tests, Treatments and Procedures

Routine Obstetrical Ultrasound: This type of ultrasound includes these types of first trimester screenings: evaluation of pregnancy, determining fetal life, number, presentation, gestational age, placental position and evaluation of the anatomy of the fetus, following the guidelines of The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Detailed (Level II) Ultrasound: This type of ultrasound is targeted towards mothers who are at risk for fetal abnormalities or a second opinion ultrasound of a high-risk pregnancy with a known fetal abnormality.

Nuchal Translucency: This is a non-invasive prenatal screening test conducted during 11-14 weeks of pregnancy. A nuchal scan helps identify higher risks of Down Syndrome in fetuses, particularly for older mothers who have higher risks of such pregnancies. The scan assesses the amount of fluid behind the neck of the fetus; babies with Down Syndrome risks tend to have a higher amount of fluid around the neck. The test may also help confirm both the accuracy of the pregnancy dates and fetal well-being, as well as detect other less common chromosomal abnormalities.

Invasive Procedures are performed when indicated, for women who have a significant risk for known genetic or hereditary disorders, abnormal ultrasounds or a family history of genetic diseases.

High Risk Pregnancies

Jackson Women's Hospital provides world-class care for moms and their babies. The center specializes in high-risk maternity care, is designated as a Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center and has specialists available 24/7. Our anti-partum unit also cares for pregnant women who are in need of close monitoring and special care before their baby is born.

Our labor and delivery unit is also located adjacent to Holtz Children's Hospital's Project: New Born Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, one of the largest neonatal intensive care units in the country, which cares for the tiniest and most critical newborns with some of the best outcomes in the world.

Cord Blood Donations

Babies born at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the flagship of Jackson Health System, will become some of Florida’s youngest life savers by donating their cord blood to LifeCord, an FDA licensed, public cord blood bank who is one of only five licensed cord blood banks in the country, and the only one in the Southeast.

The collection of cord blood donations is especially important for those with ethnically or racially diverse backgrounds since, oftentimes, it can be difficult for patients to find a match. Every expectant mother at Jackson Memorial Hospital can now choose to donate their child’s cord blood and increase the chances of finding a match.

Donating cord blood is painless for mother and baby, and the collection procedure does not affect the baby or the normal birthing experience.

There is no charge for the life-saving service. LifeCord incurs the cost of collecting, testing, processing and storing cord blood.

For more information about public cord blood donations, please contact our LifeCord coordinators at 305-585-3679.

Classes and Tours

Maternity Unit Tours/Baby ShowersJackson Memorial Hospital offers tours of our maternity unit for parents-to-be. The tours include our newly renovated M.B. Fernandez Little Miracles Maternity Suites, labor and delivery floor as well as other key areas of the hospital. The tour also includes a seminar on what to expect when you arrive to deliver your baby and an introduction to the maternity staff and physicians. We also offer expectant mothers an option to pre-register to the hospital on the day of the tour. Maternity Tours/Baby Showers are offered monthly. Online registration is preferred. Each mother who registers is welcome to bring a guest.

Childbirth and Family Class SeriesChildbirth and Family Class Series prepare parents to bring their new baby into the world. The series of five classes details proper labor techniques and options, as well as breastfeeding and safety tips. Classes are taught by our certified lactation consultants.

Plan early and register to attend when beginning your third trimester. Register online or call 305-585-4MOM (4666) to reserve your space today!

North Dade Health Center

North Dade Health Center has been a major healthcare provider in the Miami Gardens, Opa-locka and North Dade communities for more than 30 years. The center offers various primary care services all under one roof, including routine obstetrics services. It facilitates referrals for specialized services to Jackson Memorial Hospital. North Dade Health Center is also partners with nearby Jackson North Medical Center.

Jackson North Medical Center

At Jackson North Medical Center, our experienced maternity team is ready to help you with preparations for birth, your labor and delivery, and your child's first days of life. And should your child need it, you can take comfort in knowing that Jackson North Medical Center has a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for any of life's little complications.

Labor and Delivery

After your baby is born, you will be moved to one of our 24 private patient rooms, where you will stay for the remainder of your time with us. You can expect to be in the hospital approximately one to two days if you have a vaginal delivery and two to three days for a cesarean birth.

At Jackson North, we believe in family-friendly care, and welcome mothers to keep their infants in their room with them. Your room will have accommodations for one guest to stay overnight with you and your baby. We also extend our 24-hour visitation policy to your guest and offer them one complimentary meal during their stay.

Classes and Tours

Maternity Unit Tours/Baby ShowersJackson North Medical Center offers tours of our maternity unit for parents-to-be. The tours include our birth rooms, private patient rooms and the nursery. The tour also includes a seminar on what to expect when you arrive to deliver your baby, an introduction to the maternity staff and physicians, and a mini-breastfeeding course. We also offer expectant mothers an option to pre-register to the hospital on the day of the tour. Maternity Unit Tours/Baby Showers are offered monthly on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

Attend a New Parenting ClassA four-week series of childbirth/parenting classes about pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding and infant care are offered at Jackson North Medical Center. Classes are taught on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. and begin monthly.

Registration to either event includes considerations for one participant and their guest.

For questions about this event, please call 305-585-4MOM (4666) or register online.

Penalver Clinic

The Dr. Rafael A. Peñalver Clinic has been a model for neighborhood health for 17 years. The clinic, located at 971 N.W. 2nd Street in Little Havana, provides comprehensive primary care services, including obstetrics and gynecology. The clinic also facilitates referrals to Jackson Memorial Hospital for specialized services.

Jackson South Community Hospital

Welcoming a child into the world is one of the most exciting times in a mother’s life. At Jackson South Community Hospital, our board-certified physicians and nurse midwives specialize in gynecologic and obstetrical care. We believe in family-friendly care and welcome mothers to keep their infants in their room with them during their stay. We also provide personal concierge services and provide overnight accommodations for one guest per patient so someone can stay with you and your new baby.

Specialized Services

C-sectionThe rate of cesarean births has been steadily increasing in the United States since 1996, climbing upwards of 50%. While there are many reasons for the change, the increased cesarean birth rate has not resulted in improved outcomes for women or their babies.

Jackson South’s OB team is proud of our low cesarean birth rate, which has been the lowest in Miami-Dade County for the past 10 years. In 2009, the cesarean rate was 33% for the Women’s Center and 18% for our nurse-midwife practice. Jackson South Community Hospital is committed to offering alternatives to cesarean sections to our families and delivering newborns naturally.

Nurse MidwivesJackson South's Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are an integral component to the obstetrics department. Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses who have completed graduate-level training in midwifery and who have passed a national certification exam from the American College of Nurse Midwifery. They combine expert medical care with compassionate therapy during labor, birth and the following 2 to 3 days in the hospital. You can feel confident that the care you receive from Jackson South's nurse midwives and support staff are second to none.

Vaginal Delivery and Vaginal Birth After CesareanIn August 2010, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published new practice guidelines for vaginal birth being a “safe and appropriate choice” after previous cesarean delivery. Jackson South is pleased to support this choice whenever medically possible.

Labor and Delivery

The comfort of our patients is the focus of the obstetrics department at Jackson South Community Hospital. Special attention has been placed on creating a soothing, healing environment with warm decor and natural ambiance. And because Jackson South is part of Jackson Health System, patients benefit from a full range of the most advanced services available including a neonatologist for any specialized service- delivered with personalized attention and compassion.

Each of our specially designed birthing rooms is equipped to accommodate the entire birth process from labor through delivery. Deep soaking tubs are available if the mother would like to use it to help her along with labor. The mother has her choice of support people who are encouraged to take an active role in labor, birth, postpartum and newborn care.

Pre-Registration and Check-InWe offer the convenience or pre-registering before admission to the hospital. You can pre-register Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please make sure you bring all proper documentation. For more information, please call 305-256-5080.

Classes and Tours

Maternity Unit Tours/Baby ShowersJackson South Community Hospital offers tours of our maternity unit for parents-to-be. The tours include our birth rooms, private patient rooms and the nursery. The tour also includes a seminar on what to expect when you arrive to deliver your baby, an introduction to the maternity staff and physicians, and a mini-breastfeeding course. We also offer expectant mothers an option to pre-register to the hospital on the day of the tour. Maternity Unit Tours/Baby Showers are offered monthly on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

Registration to this event includes considerations for one participant and their guest.

For questions about this event, please call 305-585-4MOM (4666) or register online.

Maternity Tours & Prenatal Classes

If you’re preparing to welcome your new baby into the world, please join us at one of our educational seminars. Tour our labor and delivery facilities or attend our breastfeeding and parenting classes. We have everything you’ll need to prepare for your special delivery!

To register for a class, please call 305-585-4MOM (4666) or register online for these locations:

Little Miracles Maternity Suites

Baby Stroller Parking Permit

Parents can now purchase a Miami-Dade County “Baby Stroller Parking Permit” at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center and Jackson South Community Hospital. Please click here for more information.

Baby's First Portrait

To access your newborn baby's portrait, please click here. Enter the mother's cart ID# and the first four letters of the mother's last name.